Three NFL experts from the Prime Time Sports Talk staff came together to share their picks for the opening round of the playoffs.
These three writers will continue to make their picks for the entire season, earning two points for any correct win-loss outcome and an additional three points for correctly predicting the exact score. (Failure to accurately predict a tie will be treated as a loss.) A cumulative points total and record will be listed at the bottom of every article. An archive of all 17 regular-season and four playoff editions can be found here.
Mike Fanelli, Joe Heller, and Andersen Pickard contributed to this article.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills
Mike Fanelli: Bills 27, Colts 21
After the Bills destroyed the Dolphins last week, they will face the Colts in the first round. In hindsight, they may have wanted to rest their star players the entire game and give the Dolphins the win, keeping the Colts out of the playoffs. However, hindsight is 20/20, and given how well the Bills’ offense has played lately, the Colts’ defense has no shot of slowing them down.
Joe Heller: Bills 27, Colts 20
The Bills’ offense is one of the most efficient in the NFL. Their defense will slow down the Colts’ running game, enough to put it on Philip Rivers to beat them. Rivers will make a costly mistake late in this game.
Andersen Pickard: Bills 28, Colts 23
Everyone has been talking about Josh Allen, and deservedly so. However, this game could be more about the Bills’ defense than their star quarterback. The Buffalo defense has quietly emerged as one of the best in the league after a slow start to the season. As long as they can slow down Jonathan Taylor, the Bills should advance.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Mike: Seahawks 21, Rams 13
It’s time for round three. These two teams split in their two games in the regular season, with the home team winning both games. The Seahawks defeated the Rams two weeks ago to secure the division title and home-field advantage for this game. Between all the injuries for the Rams and the Seahawks’ 7-1 record at home this season, the Rams will be one-and-done this postseason.
Joe: Seahawks 24, Rams 20
The Seahawks will win the third matchup between these two teams. Russell Wilson will lead his team to victory with some late-game heroics.
Andersen: Seahawks 27, Rams 17
John Wolford and the Rams did not look terrible last week, and they will welcome back Cooper Kupp in a much-needed role this week. Plus, Los Angeles has studied the Seahawks defense twice this year while Seattle has never met Wolford. This is all advantageous for the Rams, but it doesn’t destroy the fact that Jared Goff is out, the Seattle offense is exciting, and their defense has slowly climbed to one of the best in the league. If the Seahawks can get an early start on offense, they’ll win.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Football Team
Mike: Buccaneers 23, Washington 16
Everyone thinks the Buccaneers are going to win this game, and they could be correct. Washington doesn’t have the firepower on offense to score 20 points on the Buccaneers. However, Chase Young and the defense will make life hell for Tom Brady and make him wish the Giants had won the division.
Joe: Washington 27, Buccaneers 24
Washington and their defense will do enough to limit Tom Brady. Tampa Bay’s chance at being the first team to play a Super Bowl in their own stadium will come to an end.
Andersen: Buccaneers 24, Washington 16
The outcome of this game all depends on which version of Tom Brady and the Buccaneers we see. Unfortunately for Washington, Playoff Brady is a nightmare. While Washington’s defense will be able to limit the Bucs’ offense, they won’t slow them down enough to allow for a Taylor Heinicke-led offense steal the win.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans
Mike: Ravens 24, Titans 20
If you enjoy watching teams run the ball, this is the game for you. These two teams met in Week 11, with the Titans getting the overtime victory thanks to 133 rushing yards from Derrick Henry. However, since then, Baltimore has won five straight games to close out the season, winning by an average of 19.4 points per game. The Ravens will limit the amount of time Henry and the Titans are on the field and pull out the narrow victory.
Joe: Titans 31, Ravens 24
The Titans are hosting a playoff game one year after making it to the AFC Championship as a Wild Card team. In their last two matchups against the Ravens, they have been one of few teams to crack the “Lamar Jackson code.” They should do so again on Sunday afternoon.
Andersen: Ravens 28, Titans 21
These are two fairly similar teams. The Titans have a slightly better running and passing game while the Ravens have a more mobile quarterback and better defense. While it’s a given that Derrick Henry will run wild, the Ravens will do just enough to slow down the Titans defensively and outplay them on offense.
Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints
Mike: Saints 26, Bears 20
These two teams played in Week 10, with the Saints securing a 26-23 overtime victory. The Bears ended the season on a high note, winning three of their last four games, with the only loss coming to the Packers in Week 17. However, the teams the Bears beat to get into the playoffs aren’t in the same class as the Saints.
Joe: Saints 31, Bears 24
Drew Brees is hanging up his cleats after this season, but he will make sure it waits at least one more week. The Bears, behind Mitch Trubisky, will keep it close and fall just short.
Andersen: Saints 28, Bears 24
The Bears looked like a very strong football team in the final few weeks of the season. However, the Saints are on a whole other level. This game will be all about momentum, which is an area where the Saints tend to dominate.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike: Steelers 30, Browns 20
After defeating Mason Rudolph last week, the Browns made the playoffs for the first time since 2002. However, in their earlier matchup this season, the Steelers destroyed the Browns, 38-7. While the final score won’t be that extreme this time around, Pittsburgh is the better team.
Joe: Steelers 30, Browns 27
The Browns are a matchup nightmare for the Steelers. However, in the team’s first playoff appearance in almost two decades, they won’t be able to overcome not having their head coach on the sidelines. This would have been the upset pick of the week if not for a COVID-19 outbreak in the Cleveland locker room.
Andersen: Steelers 27, Browns 20
Head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive lineman Joel Bitonio won’t be able to attend this game after testing positive for COVID-19, and that could be the difference in the outcome. Further, wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge and safeties Ronnie Harrison and Jovante Moffatt are also out due to the virus. On the other side, the Steelers are mainly healthy. If Pittsburgh plays the same way they did in Week 16 vs. the Colts, they should advance.
Point Totals
Mike: 342
Joe: 315
Andersen: 322
Records
Mike: 171-82
Joe: 156-97
Andersen: 158-95
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